Netanyahu: We will warn of any Iranian violations of deal

As sanctions on Iran are lifted, PM Netanyahu warns the Islamic Republic is still seeking nuclear weapons.

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Elad Benari, 17/01/16 01:38

Binyamin Netanyahu

Yonatan Sindel/Flash 90

Iran is still seeking to achieve nuclear military capabilities, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu warned Saturday night, after Iran’s deal with world powers was implemented.

"Even after signing the nuclear deal, Iran has not relinquished its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons, and continues to act to destabilize the Middle East and spread terror throughout the world while violating its international commitments," a statement from Netanyahu's office read.

He stressed that Israel would "follow the implementation of the deal and warn of any violation."

"The world powers and (the UN atomic watchdog) must closely follow the activities at Iran's nuclear sites and other sites to ensure it is not continuing to clandestinely develop nuclear weapons," continued Netanyahu.

"Without an appropriate reaction to every violation, Iran will realize it can continue to develop nuclear weapons, destabilize the region and spread terror," he warned.

Earlier on Saturday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that Iran has fulfilled its initial obligations under the terms of the nuclear deal reached with world powers last July, paving the way for the first stage of sanctions relief.

The IAEA's announcement came just hours after a breakthrough prisoner swap with the United States saw four American citizens freed in return for the release of seven Iranians jailed in the United States.

Implementation of the nuclear deal comes despite aDecember 2 report from the IAEA which concluded that Iran made a "coordinated" effort to develop nuclear weapons in the past, although the efforts apparently ended at an early stage.

The UN watchdog also recently released a report which determined that Iran had violated the terms of its nuclear deal with the West by increasing its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 460.2 kilograms.

Earlier it was also revealed that Iran had stopped dismantling its centrifuges at the Natanz and Fordow uranium enrichment plants, breaching the nuclear deal that calls for the dismantling.